Letters to the Editor Friday

Friday

Nov 9, 2012 at 12:05 AM

As a black college student in Savannah, I am saddened to see the state of race relations in a city I have come to love and think of as home.

The comments I see on the Savannah Morning News website, that are inaccurate at best and racist at worst, are enough to make me reconsider living in Savannah and starting a family here after I graduate.

These comments are usually in response to any sort of violent crime committed in the city, even if there is no reason to believe that the suspected perpetrators are black.

As we all know, race is a complex issue. It is especially so in a city like ours where race interacts with poverty and gentrification to create an image of African-American culture that is sadly misinformed.

This is especially so when the people who believe these stereotypes of our culture do not know anyone who challenges such a stereotype.

At Armstrong Atlantic State University, where I am a senior majoring in Psychology, many of my classmates are African Americans like me. We work in research groups and study with friends who are of all races.

My boyfriend is a white medical student and we have made a concentrated effort to discuss these issues and judge people by their character and not by the color of their skin.

ZAHNWHEA GEORGE

Savannah

Meeting set for Nov. 16 on feral cat issue

The Savannah Morning News recently reported that a few of the Chatham County commissioners advocated a vote to eliminate the feral cat population in the county.

In the Nov. 2nd pre-meeting, I suggested that rather than move to a vote at the ensuing regular meeting, we undergo a review of our existing ordinances and consider recommendations on how to address the problems associated with the feral cat colonies.

Recently, cats on county property were alleged to have caused ringworm or hookworms in a child.

Unfortunately, this case had to be resolved in court. In addition, a cat that was discovered to have rabies was located in the district that I represent.

I will not gamble with the health of our citizens, and I want to avoid costly and time consuming court experiences. Zonotic diseases are a threat to public safety which, after all, is the first and foremost responsibility of government.

I recently spent some time with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and reviewed some educational information on feral cats. Many of these cats were dumped by irresponsible owners and left to adapt or die.

Cats that survive will reproduce unless captured and sterilized. It is a real shame that we cannot identify the owners and hold them accountable.

I will ask representatives of feral cat colonies to meet and develop a proposal that will fulfill the county's public safety and health standards, so that we have a document to work with that reflects their insights.

This request will go on the Nov. 16th agenda, and we will together find a solution that will both preserve and public safety and humanely treat these animals.

HELEN L. STONE

Chairman Pro Tem

Chatham County Commissoner

District 1

Savannah

Pancreatic cancer in dire need of research

Over the past 30 years, there has been a revolution in science and medicine, resulting in increased survival rates for many diseases but, unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has not benefited from these advances.

As a result, pancreatic cancer is the only one of the top cancer killers with a five-year survival rate in the single digits, at just six percent.

Even more alarming is that the disease is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2020, and possibly as early as 2015.

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. I've pledged to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Vision of Progress to double the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020.

With increased public awareness and continued pressure on our 112th Senate to pass S. 3560, The Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, we can guarantee that within 18 months, strategic, long term development plans are defined by scientific framework.

On Sept. 29, 2012, I lost my older brother to pancreatic cancer, 11 months after he was diagnosed.

Please join the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in helping to stamp out this life-stealing disease by participating in PurpleStride Savannah's 5K beach run/walk at Tybee Island on Saturday, Nov. 17. Together we can make a difference.

I'm striding for my brother, Den Dickerson.

DIANE PATINO

Volunteer Media Representative

Savannah Affiliate

Savannah

King America Finishing still polluting Ogeechee

I support and commend all those who have spoken out, written previously and continue to work against the reprehensible chemical dumping being done by King America Finishing into the Ogeechee River.

All people should condemn the actions of King America Finishing.

Not only are their dumping of chemicals into the Ogeechee River beyond the scope of law and ordinary reason, their actions are detrimental to the public's health and the health of the living nature in and around the Ogeechee River.

Their lack of regard for life, their blindness concerning public health, is unconscionable and beyond the pale.

No one wants to see King America Finishing shut down, discontinue business or lay off employees, but the public's health should be the first concern.

It is obvious that the company's dumping of chemicals into the waters of the Ogeechee has not only killed natural-inhabiting fish and other small river life, but has affected human life as well.

Recently, a white coating on the rocks, trees and grasses in and around the Ogeechee had appeared. This river is needlessly being polluted by King America Finishing.

This company needs to change its procedures and stop dumping chemicals into the river.

These substances should instead be barreled or contained and disposed of properly, instead of being dumped into the Ogeechee River. Life itself deserves as much.